The most telling item on Jennings’ early resume might be earning the No. 2 spot shortly after arriving in Baton Rouge, La.

“That does say something, because they’ve got a lot of good players,” Ferentz said. “To be the next guy in line tells you the kind of potential he must have.”

It also puts Iowa in a tough spot preparation-wise. Mettenberger is an accurate passer, but less likely to scramble.

“I know he’s a very good athlete,” Ferentz said of Jennings. “So I imagine we may see some runs, as well as throws.”

“I always hate the percentage question,” Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock said Monday when asked about the condition of his aching knees, “but I feel good. I feel better than I have.” (Register file photo)

Rudock, meanwhile, was an unknown commodity before this season. He went on to complete 60.2 percent of his passes for 2,281 yards, 18 touchdowns and was nimble enough to run for 223 yards and five touchdowns.

Rudock was unable to finish a 38-17 win at Nebraska, however, after suffering a knee injury.

“It was one of those weird ones, where it was hurting pretty bad,” he said. “I’d try to get back in there if I could, but at the time it probably wasn’t the best call.”

After taking time to recuperate, Rudock is ready for a return to his home state.

He grew up in Weston, Fla., which is less than a 4-hour drive from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

“We could take it easier,” Rudock said of the past few weeks. “We didn’t have to rush back into it too quick.